Governor having spring rate and tension adjustment means



7, 3 s. c. FRICKE ETAL. 644,682

GOVERNOR HAVING SPRING RATE AND TENSION ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed July 28,1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOEJ Gar C. Fem/(E ELMEB M. B/MBEEG DAV/D u.JCHAFFEE I ATTORNEY July 7, 1953 s. c. FRICKE ETAL 2,644,682

GOVERNOR HAVING SPRING RATE AND TENSION ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed July 28,1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ugW I VII/ Alli INVENTOE-S Gar C! Fem/(E 62/152 MB/MBEEG .DA we a? Jaw/4 FFEE ATTORNEY Patented July 7, 1953 OFFICE GovER NoR HAVING sramGn 'r Nn "jifENsIoN ADJUSTMENT MEANS Guy- 0. Fricke,Elmer M. Bimberg, and David].- Schaffer, Detroit, Mich.,- assignors toBendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, .Ind., a corporation ofDelaware Application July 28, 1951, Serial No. 239,148

: 11 Claims.

' The present invention relates to governors for internal combustionengines; especially for automotive vehicles and the like, andmore'particularly to governorsembodying 'acentrifugal type mechanism forregulating'the speed of said engines by controllingthe air now in theinduction passage. e One of the principal objects of the presentinvention is to provide a relatively simple, long wearing mechanicalgovernor of high sensitivity for internal combustion engines, which canbe easily mountedor'insta-lled on'the engine and thereafter readilyserviced as a unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a governor forregulating the speed of an internal combustion engine wherein all forcesinvolved inthe operation of the governor are applied on the center lineof the rotating and moving parts when the engine is being operated belowthe governed speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal governorunit'for the aforementioned engines which can be readily and accuratelyadjusted over a wide rangeto any desired maximum speed while theengine'is running and which is particularly'adapted for use as a mastercontrol for a vacuum actuated slave unit of agovernor. Still anotherobjectis 'to provide a compact, relativelysimple, goverhorforanint'ernal combustion' engine in which all the mechanically op erableelements are fully sealed against dirt, water orot her foreignmaterialswhich would interfere with the operation thereof. I

From the detailed description which follows," modifications andadditions to the present in: vention will'be apparent to those skilledin the art. It is to be understood that although only the preferredembodiment of the invention is disclosedin detail, many variationsemploying the combination of elements forming'the present gov-'- ernorare possible, and we contemplate the use of any such variations instructure, arrangement and mode of operation that properlyfall withinthe scope'of the appended claims. -'In the drawings: A Figure 1 is aside elevation-of an internal combustion engine on which the presentgovernor is mounted; Figure 2 is a cross section taken through thhousing of the governor showing the several ele ments comprising thegovernor in elevation-in the relative positions they vzaccupy-whenthegovernoris operating below thegovern'ed speed;

: Figure 3 is asection taken through thegovernor' on the line 3--3' of.Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side: elevation of "the centrifugalweight mechanismshowing the elements-in operative position; and.

.Figure 5. is a sectionitaken on line; 5-5 of Figure 2.

9, 1951, mounted on the side of carburetor l2 adjacent the throttlevalve and connected to the master unit M by a push-pull cable [8, suchas a Bowden wire. Although in this embodiment of the invention thegovernor is'shown drivenby the engine through the distributor, it may bedriven from any other suitable power take-off.

The centrifugal mechanism of the governor is clearly shown in Figure 2disposed in a housing 28, and includes centrifugal weights 30 and 32which are mounted on bell crank levers 34 and '36 and are securedtheretoby pins 33 and 40 m serted in holes through said weights and levers. Inorder to make the unit as compact as possible, the weights are providedwith a peripheral curvature of a radius substantially equal to theradius of the are produced by the outer edge of said weights when theyare intheir fully extended position as shown in- Figure4. Theoutside'faces of the weights are such that they are parallel withtheaxis of rotation when the weights are" fully extended. 7 The weights arepreferably made of some relatively heavy metal so that their size willbe consistent with compactness and efiiciency of operation.

Levers 34 and :36 are pivotally mounted on pins 42 and 44 of bracket 4|?which is rigidly secured to one end'of a rotatable shaft 48, said shaftbeing driven by the engine through the distributor shaft Hi.- The endsoflevers 34 and 36 opposite the ends supporting the weights contact aplate 50 on a rotatable and axially movable shaft 52 and move said plateand shaft axially to the left, as shown in Figure 2, when weights 3!)and 32 fiyoutwardly during the operation of the governor. The right-handend of shaft 52 is supported by a thrust bearing 54 mounted in anaxially mov able cup-shaped member 56 which is connected tothe BowdenWire l8 by a shaft 57, set screw 58, and pin 60, said pin extendingthrough the side walls of member 56 and through one end of shaft 7 Amain. governor'spring It for controlling cen trifugal weights 3!! and.32. is disposed in housing 28 around shaft 57,. Oneaend ofspring Til isconnected to shaft .57 and the other end is anchored 'to" an adjustablesecuring means,-- generally designated by numeral 12. In order to adjustthegovernor to operate at various maximum speeds over a wide range,primary and secondary adjustment mechanisms are included and are adaptedto vary both the rate and tension of spring 10. The primary mechanismconsists of a rotatable and axially movable sleeve 14 having internalthreads '16 corresponding to the convolutions of spring for receivingone end of saidspring and normally holding it against axial movement.The secondary mechanismconsists of a rotatable ring 18 held againstaxial movement and having internal threads 80 for receiving sleeve 14.Easy access to the adjustable securing means is provided by an opening82 normally closed by a cover 84.

Unintentional rotation of sleeve '14 is prevented by a bar normallydisposed in one of the peripheral slots 86 in an annular flange 88 onsleeve 18. The bar is carried by cover 84 and is, therefore, withdrawnfrom the slots when the cover is removed to make an adjustment.Unintentional rotation of ring 78 is prevented by set screw 90.

In the adjustment of the main governor spring 10 to establish somedesired maximum engine speed, the spring rate as well as spring tensionis changed. Throughout the normal operating governor range the springrate and spring tension are varied with the primary adjustment byremoving cover 84 and then rotating sleeve 14 to increase or decreasethe number of spring convolutions between said sleeve and member 56, andconsequently to increase or decrease the spring rate. For eachrevolution of the sleeve, the tension is changed by an amount equal tothe diameter of the wire constituting the spring. Since this change intension would not be correctly coordinated with the change in springrate, the tension of the spring is also changed by the rotation of theexternally threaded portion of the sleeve in the internally threadedring 18. As sleeve 14 is rotated, it screws into or out of said ring,thus moving axially to the right or left and consequently increasing ordecreasing the distance between the sleeve and member 56. Eachrevolution of the sleeve would change the spring a tension by an amountequivalent to the pitch of the thread on the sleeve. It may be furtherseen that for each revolution of the sleeve, when ring '18 is heldfixed, the tension of the spring would be changed by an amountequivalent to the diameter of the wire plus or minus the pitch of thethread on the sleeve, depending on whether a left or right-handed threadis used. In some instances where the maximum speed setting has beenmoved to a point near the maximum or minimum limit of the governorrange, the setting obtained by the primary adjustment mechanism may notbe as accurate as desired. To make the desired correction, the secondaryadjustment mechanism is used. This adjustment is made by turning ring'18 to move sleeve M axially either to the left or right andconsequently decrease or increase the distance between the sleeve andmember 56. This results in a change in spring tension without causing achange in spring rate.

In the operation of the present governor, while the engine is running ata speed less than the predetermined governed speed, the centrifugalweights are held in their nonoperative position as shown in Figure 2 byth force exerted by the main governor spring 70 through member 56, shaft52 and plate 50 on bell cranks 34 and 36. When the velocity of theengine reaches the maximum speed as determined by the governor setting,the centrifugal weights which have been rotating with shaft 48 at thelower sp eeds in the 75 4 position shown in Figure 2 move outwardly tothe position shown in Figure 4 or to some intermediate point dependingon engine load, thus causing plate 50, shaft 52, member 56 and shaft 51to move to the left. As shaft 51 moves to the left in opposition to themain governor spring, it moves Bowden wire [8 in the direction tooperate the throttle valve on the engine or to operate a vacuum powerunit which in turn operates the throttle valve to prevent overspeedingof the engine or vehicle. When the engine speed has decreased to a ratesomewhat below the predetermined maximum speed, the centrifugal force inweights 34 and '36 is no longer able to overcome the force of the maingovernor spring and the weights are rapidly moved to their originalposition, as shown in Figure 2, where they have no effect on theoperation of the engine.

It is contemplated that other arrangements of elements comprising thepresent invention than.

those shown in the accompanying drawings may be provided withoutdeparting. from the scope of the present invention. Further, the presentinvention is applicable not only to engines equipped with carburetors,but also to steam engines, and engines wherein the fuel is supplied bysolid injection. Other modifications of the present governor as well asother uses therefor will occur to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a. bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, 3, weight on each of said levers adapted tomove said levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a means adapted to be moved by said levers, a. flexible motiontransmitting means one end of which is in substantial axial alignmentwith said last mentioned means, a spring for resisting the movement ofsaid first mentioned means by said levers, a sleeve having internal andexternal threads thereon, said internal threads corresponding to theconvolutions of said spring and adapted to receive said spring, and aring threaded onto said sleeve and held against translatory movement.

2. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to movesaid levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a means adapted to be moved by said 1evers, a flexible motiontransmitting means one end of which is in substantial axial alignmentwith said last mentioned means, a spring for resisting the movement ofsaid first mentioned means by said levers, a sleeve having internal andexternal threads thereon, said internal threads corresponding to theconvolutions of said spring and adapted to receive said spring, a meansfor preventing rotation of said sleeve, a. ring threaded onto saidsleeve and held against translatory movement, and a means for preventingmovement of said ring.

3. ,A governor comprising a rotatable shaft,.a bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to movesaid levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a shaft adapted to be moved axially by said levers, a spring forresisting the axial movement effected by said levers, asleevehavinginternal threads corresponding to the convolutions of said spring andadapted to receive said spring, means for preventing rotation of saidsleeve, a ring threaded onto said sleeve, and a flexible cable motiontransmitting means connected to said last mentioned shaft.

4. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to movesaid levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a shaft adapted to rotate in unison with said first mentionedshaft and to be moved axially by said levers, a spring from resistingthe axial movement effected by said levers, a sleeve having internalthreads corresponding to the convolutions of said spring and adapted toreceive said spring, a ring held against translatory movement andthreaded onto said sleeve, a means for preventing movement of said ring,and a flexible cable motion transmitting means operatively connected tosaid last mentioned shaft.

5. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a

bracket secured to said shaft and adapted to move therewith, a pluralityof pivoted levers mounted on said bracket, a weight on each of saidlevers adapted to move said levers in response to variation in the speedof said rotatable shaft, a shaft adapted to rotate in unison with saidfirst mentioned shaft and to be moved axially by said levers, a springfor resisting the axial movement effected by said levers, a flexiblemotion transmitting means operatively connected to said last mentionedshaft, a sleeve having internal threads corresponding to theconvolutions of said spring and adapted to receive said spring, slots inthe periphery of said sleeve, a member adapted to seat into said slotsto prevent rotation of said sleeve, and a ring threaded onto saidsleeve.

6. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to movesaid levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a shaft adapted to rotate in unison with said first mentionedshaft and to be moved axially by said levers, a spring for resisting theaxial movement effected by said levers, a flexible motion transmittingmeans operatively connected to said last mentioned shaft, a sleevehaving internal threads corresponding to the convolutions of said springand adapted to receive said spring, slots in the periphery of saidsleeve, a member adapted to seat into said slots to prevent rotation ofsaid sleeve, a rotatable ring threaded onto said sleeve, and means forholding said ring against translatory movement.

7. A governor comprising a rotatable shaft, a bracket secured to saidshaft and adapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted leversmounted on said bracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to movesaid levers in response to variation in the speed of said rotatableshaft, a shaft adapted to rotate in unison with said first mentionedshaft and to be moved axially by said levers, an axially movable shaftconnected to said second mentioned shaft, a spring around said lastmentioned shaft for resisting the axial movement effected by saidlevers, a flexible motion transmitting means connected to said lastmentioned shaft, a sleeve having internal threads corresponding to theconvolutions of said spring and adapted to receive said spring, meansfor preventing rotation of said sleeve, a ring held against translatorymovement and threaded onto said sleeve, and a means for preventingmovement of said ring.

8. In a governor, a rotatable shaft, a bracket secured to said shaft andadapted to move therewith, a plurality of pivoted levers mounted on saidbracket, a weight on each of said levers adapted to move said levers inresponse to variaation in the speed of said rotatable shaft, a shaftadapted to rotate in unison with said first mentioned shaft and to bemoved axially by said levers, an axially movable shaft connected to saidsecond mentioned shaft, a spring around said last mentioned shaft forresisting the axial movement effected by said levers, a flexible motiontransmitting means connected to said last mentioned shaft, a sleevehaving internal threads corresponding to the convolutions of said springand adapted to receive said spring, slots in the periphery of saidsleeve, a member adapted to seat into said slots to prevent rotation ofsaid sleeve, a rotatable ring held against translatory movement andthreaded onto said sleeve, and means for holding said ring againsttranslatory movement at all times and against rotational movement someof the time.

9. A governor spring assembly comprising a movable member, a fixedmember, a spring secured at one end to said movable member, a rotatableinternally threaded annular member positively held against translatorymovement and supported by said fixed member and a second annular memberthreadedly received in said first annular member and having internalthreads corresponding to the convolutions of said spring for receivingsaid spring.

10. A governor spring assembly comprising a movable member, a fixedmember, a spring secured at one end to one of said members, a rotatableinternally threaded annular member positively held against translatorymovement and supported by the other of said members, and a secondannular member threadedly received in said first annular member andhaving internal threads corresponding to the convolutions of said springfor receiving said spring.

11. A governor spring assembly comprising a movable member, a fixedmember, a spring secured at one end to said movable member, a rotatableinternally threaded annular member positively held against translatorymovement and supported by said fixed member and asecond annular memberthreadedly received in said first annular member and having internalthreads corresponding to the convolutions of said spring for receivingsaid spring, and means for preventing accidental rotation of saidannular members.

GUY 0. FRICKE.

ELMER M. BIMBERG. DAVID J. SCHAFFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FranceAug. 13, 1902

